Initially, the prospect of the BBC adapting Paul Cornell’s New Adventures novel, Human Nature, for series three of Doctor Who felt like a creative misstep. The New Adventures range, while popular among some fans, was often seen as non-canonical and a step removed from the core television series. Skepticism was rife; could adapting what felt like glorified fan fiction truly deliver a compelling episode of Doctor Who? The concern was that resorting to adaptations signaled a lack of original ideas and a potential decline in the show’s long-term viability.
However, watching “Human Nature” proved to be a significant course correction to those initial doubts. Far from being a creative low point, this episode stands out as a sophisticated and deeply intelligent piece of television fantasy. It doesn’t just tell a story; it brilliantly exemplifies why Doctor Who holds such a unique and enduring place in television history. Unlike the previous episode, “42,” “Human Nature” strikes a chord of originality, offering a narrative that feels fresh and unlike anything viewers have encountered before.
One of the episode’s most compelling aspects is its rich character development for the Doctor. Stripped of his Time Lord identity and living as a human schoolteacher named John Smith, we see a fascinating exploration of his nature. The episode subtly weaves in nostalgia through flashback sequences and a picture book filled with references to past Doctors and adventures, even including an inside joke referencing Sydney Newman and Verity Lambert, figures crucial to Doctor Who’s creation. Yet, beyond these nods to the show’s history, “Human Nature” carves its own identity with striking imagery. The scarecrows, in particular, are rendered with such chilling effectiveness that they become genuinely unsettling, a testament to the episode’s lasting impact on the viewer’s imagination.
Despite its strengths, the episode isn’t without minor imperfections. A question of internal logic arises: if the Doctor places such trust in Martha, why doesn’t he entrust her with the watch containing his Time Lord essence? Furthermore, while Freema Agyeman delivers a commendable performance as Martha Jones, some of her dialogue occasionally feels reminiscent of lines written for Rose Tyler, creating a slight sense of character continuity issues. The script attempts to address potential criticisms of Martha being a “Rose replacement” by explicitly mentioning her race, but this feels somewhat forced and unnecessary.
Nevertheless, these are minor quibbles in what is undeniably a classic Doctor Who episode. “Human Nature” successfully transcends its source material and stands as a powerful exploration of identity, humanity, and what it truly means to be the Doctor. It serves as a powerful reminder of Doctor Who’s capacity for reinvention and its ability to deliver consistently surprising and thought-provoking stories, even when drawing inspiration from unexpected sources.
